9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
This section concludes with a final warning. We will all be judged. The New Testament tells us that all will be judged by God. Both believers and non-believers will ultimately appear before Him.
Believers will give an account for how they have spent their lives. Though our salvation is secure, we will appear before Christ to answer for our works. Christian, live in light of this judgement.
Unbelievers will be judged for their rejection of God. All who refuse to believe, will be cast into the lake of fire to remain for all eternity (Revelation 21).
Our task is to share the gospel with lost people so that they may come to the knowledge of truth and be saved. Let us live in a way that honors God and draws persons to the cross. We only have one life to live. We should dedicate our lives to serving the Savior.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
In a world full of spiritual dangers, the Bible acts as our shield and armor. Psalm 119:11 declares, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” When we internalize Scripture, it becomes a protective force against temptation and sin.
The Bible provides us with clear guidelines on right and wrong, helping us discern truth from falsehood. It warns us of the deceitfulness of our own hearts and the subtle traps of the enemy. By staying rooted in God’s Word, we arm ourselves against the schemes of the evil one and the allure of worldly temptations.
Given the tremendous impact of God’s Word in our lives, it’s crucial that we make engaging with Scripture a daily priority. Here are a few practical suggestions:
** Set aside a specific time and place for Bible reading and prayer each day.
**Create a reading plan to help you systematically work through the Bible.
**Meditate on what you read, asking God to reveal its application to your life.
**Memorize key verses that speak to your current circumstances or struggles.
**Join a Bible study group to gain insights from others and stay accountable.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to gain information, but to experience transformation. As James 1:22 exhorts us, we must be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
7 Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; 8 But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 11:7-8
We should seek to make the most of this life. We only have one life to live. Beholding the sun is pleasant and wonderful. However, our opportunities to witness sunrises and sunsets on this planet are finite.
Paul commands us to “redeem the time because the days are evil.” (Galatians 6) Even if we live to a great age, death is still coming for all of us (Hebrews 9:27). Make the most of your time, friend.
Lost people need to know Jesus. The Church has members who need ministry. Let us not be slothful with our time. Let us invest our time in the service of our King!
Life is short. We have heard that saying before and perhaps we have uttered that statement ourselves. The saying itself is so common as to border on cliché. Yet, we know there is much truth in this statement. Our time on earth is limited and it passes so quickly.
As Christians, perhaps we should take stock of our lives from time to time. What are doing that is going to last? Are we using our time wisely? Or, are we wasting our lives on foolish pursuits that we will never amount to anything?
Paul tells us “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) It is vital that we make good use of our time. We only have one life to live. May we live it for the glory of God.
How can we accomplish this? One way is to continue in God’s Word. Frequent Bible study will keep us focused on the eternal so we will not get caught up in the temporary.
Another way to redeem the time is through worship. Worship keeps our hearts tuned in to Christ and helps us to remember to live as wise ones instead of fools. Worship helps our thinking to remain strong and centers us upon the things God—the only things that will last.
Sharing our faith will encourage us to make the most of every opportunity. As we share the gospel regularly, we will are reminded that our ultimate home is heaven and not earth. Witnessing will direct us to a greater cause than simply getting through the day. Seeing someone come to know Christ is a great way to “seize the day.”
My prayer, is that we would examine ourselves and that God would reveal areas that need to change. May we live with Godly wisdom as our guide. Let us redeem the time and make good use of the incredible gift of life we have received from God.
5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.
Ecclesiastes 11:5-6
This wisdom in this Scripture passage is so valuable for Christians. We don’t understand how the Lord works nor will we ever be able to fully comprehend the ways of God in this life. Until we can learn to live with this tension, we will never grow in our faith. If we demand that God explain Himself, we will live lives of confusion, panic, and desperation. It is far better to accept this fact and trust Him by faith.
Solomon uses two examples in these verses. We cannot trace the ways of the wind. We may understand it better in our day. However, the dynamics of wind remain not fully understood, even today. For instance, why do tornadoes move as they do? Why do tornadoes destroy certain homes but leave others untouched? We simply don’t know.
We cannot understand fully how babies form in the womb. Certainly, we know much more about the gestation process in our day than they did in Solomon’s time. The mystery of childbirth persists. While our understanding of the “what” has increased, the underlying reasons—the “why”—remain to be explored. My point is not to give a biology lesson. I only mean to remind us that life is enigmatic and difficult to ascertain.
Paul tells us “we walk by faith and not sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) God doesn’t make us privy to everything He does to grow our faith. Trust Him, Believer!
The Lord loves unity among His people. His desire is to see His people living in oneness. Christ is glorified as we, His people, relate to one another in unity. Consider these verses:
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
John 17:11 “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
John 17:22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;
John 17:23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
Ephesians 4:1-3 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:23 Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Colossians 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
May we continue to grow in oneness, unity, and love!
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Mark 13:31
The Bible: Preparing The Christian By Strengthening The Christian
Have you ever wondered how to live a life that pleases God? Psalm 119:9 poses this question: “How can a young man cleanse his way?” The answer follows immediately: “By taking heed according to Your word.” The Bible serves as our preparation manual for godly living. It equips us with the knowledge and wisdom we need to navigate life’s challenges and to serve God effectively.
Think of the Bible as a spiritual gym where we exercise our faith muscles. The more we engage with it, the stronger and more prepared we become to face life’s trials and temptations. It shapes us like a potter molds clay, preparing us to be vessels fit for God’s use.
You are loved! You are loved more than you can ever know.
The Bible tells us how much we are loved. God’s Word has revealed the one, true God who loves us in word and deed.
He loves us unconditionally……
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He loves us unwaveringly…….
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He loves us sacrificially……
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We should never frustrate the love of God by living in willful sin. But, we know that He will forgive us when we call on Him in repentance. (1 John 1:9-10)
We know that it may not always feel like God loves us. But, we also know that His love is not based on feelings. God loves us because He chooses to love us.
Always remember the love God has for you. May this simple truth undergird and encourage you this day, and every day!
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants. 8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it. 10 If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. 11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. 14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him? 15 The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city! 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time– For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:5-20
The inane madness of this world is seen very readily today just as it was in the days of the King. It is meaningless and insane. Once again, the preacher breaks it down for us to see in plain fashion. Here are some thoughts about the madness of life.
**Solomon begins by telling us that the fool ends up in authority. This is one example of the vanity of life on this earth. Not every leader is a fool. However, some truly are. It’s illogical, yet undeniably true.
**Though work is good and healthy, it can also be harmful in certain cases. Work doesn’t mean that all our wishes and desires will be fulfilled. Working hard does not guarantee material wealth.
**The foolish receive recognition and fame. Those who seem to be the least worthy of recognition receive fame and fortune. In our day, we have folks who are famous for nothing. They haven’t achieved anything of significance. But somehow, they end up well-known and even adored.
**At times, rulers are self-seeking and foolish. This thought should not surprise us. Solomon has made this point several times already in the book of Ecclesiastes.
**Laziness can also lead to disaster. Some give in to laziness and fail to take care of God’s blessings. The results of this folly can be devastating not just for the slothful one but also for his/her family. God has blessed us with much and we ought to take care of it.
**Finally, Solomon teaches us that our words can be used against us. I would imagine that has happened to you. To be fair, sometimes we use our words to tear down and destroy and that is wrong. At times, language intended for positive purposes may be misused, resulting in misinformation or misrepresentation.
mrtonyfrench 